Offset wave groove bottle

ABSTRACT

A bottle includes a finish defining a bottle opening, a bell carrying the finish, a base, a central axis extending from the finish to the base, a sidewall extending between the bell and the base, and at least two grooves that circumferentially extend around the sidewall and spaced apart relative to the central axis, the grooves being circumferentially offset from one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/988,003, filed on Mar. 11, 2020, and entitled Offset Wave GrooveBottle, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to plastic containers. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to a plastic container that includes agroove pattern around an outer circumference that provides improvedstrength attributes of the plastic container.

BACKGROUND

Plastic containers are an alternative to glass or metal containers. Acommon plastic used in the manufacture of plastic containers ispolyethylene terephthalate (or PET). Containers made of PET aregenerally transparent, thin walled, and can maintain their shape inresponse to force exerted on the walls by the contents of the container.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a bottle includes a finish defining a bottle opening,a bell carrying the finish, a base, a central axis extending from thefinish to the base, a sidewall extending between the bell and the base,and at least two grooves that circumferentially extend around thesidewall and spaced apart relative to the central axis, the groovesbeing circumferentially offset from one another.

In another embodiment, a bottle includes a finish defining a bottleopening, a neck coupled to the finish, a bell coupled to the neck, abase, a sidewall extending between the bell and the base, a central axisextending from the finish to the base, a first groove extending aroundthe sidewall, the first groove having a wave shape defined by at leastone peak and at least one valley, and a second groove extending aroundthe sidewall, the second groove having a wave shape defined by at leastone peak and at least one valley, the second groove beingcircumferentially offset from the first groove, and spaced from thefirst groove along the central axis.

In another embodiment, a bottle includes a neck defining a bottleopening, a bell coupled to the neck, a base, a sidewall extendingbetween the bell and the base, a central axis extending from the neck tothe base, a first groove extending around an outer circumference of thesidewall, the first groove having a wave shape defined by alternatingfirst peaks and first valleys, and a second groove extending around anouter circumference of the sidewall, the second groove having a waveshape defined by alternating second peaks and second valleys, the secondgroove being circumferentially offset from the first groove such thatthe alternating second peaks and second valleys of the second groove arepositioned out of vertical alignment with the alternating first peaksand first valleys of the first groove.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a bottleillustrating a plurality of offset wave grooves.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side view of another example of an embodiment of a bottleillustrating a plurality of offset wave grooves, and more specificallythree total grooves.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a groove of the bottle shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another example of an embodiment ofthe groove of the bottle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1 illustrating aplurality of circumferentially offset grooves.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the bottle shown in FIG. 6, takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6, illustrating an angular distance between avalley of a first groove and a peak of an adjacent second groove.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the bottle shown in FIG. 6, takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6, illustrating an angular distance between afirst peak of the first groove and a closest second peak of the adjacentsecond groove.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bottle shown in FIG. 1 illustrating adiverted load path and improved hoop-wise strength generated by theplurality of circumferentially offset grooves.

Before embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The disclosure can support other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure illustrates a container 100 that includes aplurality of offset wave grooves that improve structural strength of thecontainer 100, which can reduce risk of damage, leakage, bending, orundue stresses on the container 100. The container 100 illustrated inthe figures is a bottle 100, and further an approximately one-literbottle. It should be appreciated that the bottle 100, and specificallythe one-liter bottle, is provided for purposes of illustration and isnot limiting. The bottle 100 can be any suitable or desired size and/orvolume. For example, the bottle 100 can be, for example, 250 milliliters(mL), 1.0 Liter (L), 2.0 L, 8 ounces (oz.), 12 oz., 16.9 oz., 20 oz., 24oz., or any other suitable or desired size or volume. In addition, thebottle 100 can be formed of a plastic or a polymer. For example, thebottle 100 can be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or anyother suitable material or combination of materials. The plurality ofoffset wave grooves described herein can be used with any type ofsuitable container or vessel, or any size of suitable bottle thatbenefits from improved strength properties, including improvedstructural strength.

Now with reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the container100 (also referred to as the bottle 100). With specific reference toFIGS. 1-3, the bottle 100 includes a sidewall 104, a bell 108 and a base112. The sidewall 104 (also referred to as a body 104) extends betweenthe bell 108 and the base 112. A shoulder 116 can be provided betweenthe sidewall 104 and the bell 108 to provide a transition between thesidewall 104 and the bell 108. The bell 108 extends upward and inwardrelative to a central axis 120 (shown in FIG. 3) from the sidewall 104to a neck 124 and a finish 128. As shown in FIG. 3, the central axis 120extends from the finish 128 to the base 112. Referring back to FIGS.1-3, the neck 124 is coupled to the bell 108, and the finish 128 iscoupled to the neck 124. The finish 128 defines a bottle opening 132 (oran opening 132 or an orifice 132) (shown in FIG. 1) that leads to aninterior of the bottle 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the finish 128 includesa thread 136 and a sealing surface 140. The thread 136 is configured toengage a closure (or a cap) (not shown). The sealing surface 140 definesa circumferential perimeter end of the opening 132. The sealing surface140 is configured to engage with a portion of the closure (not shown) toseal the opening 132. A neck ring 144 (also referred to as a transferbead 144) circumferentially extends around the neck 124 and ispositioned between the finish 128 and the neck 124. The interior of thebottle 100 is configured to contain a beverage, a liquid, and/or anyother suitable contents. In the illustrated embodiment, the bell 108 hasa frustoconical cross-sectional shape, with the bell 108 having a first,smaller cross-sectional diameters adjacent the neck 124, and a second,wider cross-sectional diameter adjacent the sidewall 104. In otherexamples of embodiments, the bell 108 can have any suitablecross-sectional shape or geometry (e.g., arcuate, domed, semi-spherical,cupola-like, etc.) desired for the bottle 100. In addition, the sidewall104 is illustrated as generally cylindrical. However, in otherembodiments, the sidewall 104 can be any suitable or desiredcross-sectional shape or geometry (e.g., sloped with an increasingcross-sectional diameter, sloped with a decreasing cross-sectionaldiameter, form an hourglass-like cross-sectional shape where a portionof the sidewall has a cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than aportion above and/or a portion below, etc.). In addition, the sidewall104 can include additional or different features, including curvatures,tapers, handles, grips, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the sidewall 104 includes a pluralityof grooves 200 (otherwise referred to as ribs 200). Each groove 200extends around a circumference of the sidewall 104. In other examples ofembodiments, each groove 200 can extend around a portion of thecircumference of the sidewall 104, or partially extend around thecircumference of the sidewall 104. For example, each groove 200 can bedefined by a plurality of groove sections to form an intermittent orbroken groove around the circumference of the sidewall 104. In theillustrated embodiment, the bottle 100 includes five total grooves 200.In other embodiments, the bottle 100 can include any suitable number ofgrooves 200 (e.g., two, three, four, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten ormore). As a nonlimiting example, FIG. 3A illustrates a bottle 100′,shown as a 250 mL bottle, that includes three grooves 200. Generally,the bottle 100 includes at least two grooves 200. In other embodiments,the bell 108 and/or the base 112 can also include at least one groove200.

With specific reference to FIG. 3, the plurality of grooves 200 arevertically separated (or vertically spaced) along the central axis 120.Stated another way, the grooves 200 are longitudinally separated (orspaced) along the longitudinally extending central axis 120. In theillustrated embodiment, the grooves 200 are stacked, but spaced apart.The grooves 200 are equally spaced apart, such that a vertical distancebetween consecutive grooves 200 (or adjacent grooves) is the same alongthe central axis 120. In other embodiments, the grooves 200 can beunequally spaced apart, such that a vertical distance between twoconsecutive grooves 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 can be greaterthan or less than a vertical distance between two other consecutivegrooves 200 of the plurality of grooves 200. It should be appreciatedthat the plurality of grooves 200 includes at least two grooves 200 a,200 b.

Each groove 200 defines a wavelike pattern that extends around thecircumference of the sidewall 104. Each wave includes a plurality ofpeaks 204, a plurality of valleys 208, and a plurality of transitionsections 212. Each transition section 212 extends between each adjacentpeak 204 and valley 208 (or each adjacent valley 208 and peak 204). Thepeaks 204 are generally positioned closer to the bell 108 than the base112, while the valleys 208 are generally positioned closer to the base112 than the bell 108. In the illustrated embodiment, each groove 200 issinusoidal in that the peaks 204 and the valleys 208 have the sameamplitude (or extend the same distance from a common origin). Inaddition, the peaks 204 and the valleys 208 of each groove 200 arerounded (or U-shaped). In other examples of embodiments, the peaks 204and the valleys 208 of each groove 200 can be angled (or V-shaped), orcan be generally flat (i.e., can have a surface parallel to thecircumference of the sidewall 104. The plurality of grooves 200 have anidentical pattern of peaks 204, valleys 208, and transition sections212, such that the plurality of grooves 200 have the same general shape,the same amplitude, the same wavelength, and/or have the same dimensionsbetween consecutive peaks 204. However, as discussed in additionaldetail below, each groove 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 is offsetfrom the adjacent groove 200. In other embodiments, each of theplurality of grooves 200 can have a different pattern of peaks 204,valleys 208, and transition sections 212, while still being offset fromthe adjacent groove 200. Each groove 200 includes a total of six peaks204 and six valleys 208. In other examples of embodiments, each groove200 can include any suitable number of peaks 204 (e.g., two, three,four, seven, eight, nine, or ten or more), and any suitable number ofvalleys 208 (e.g., two, three, four, seven, eight, nine, or ten ormore). In other examples of embodiments, the peaks 204 of a groove 200can have the same amplitude (or extend the same vertical distancetowards the bell 108) or can have different amplitudes (or extenddifferent vertical distances towards the bell 108). Similarly, in otherexamples of embodiments, the valleys 208 of a groove 200 can have thesame amplitude (or extend the same vertical distance towards the base112) or can have different amplitudes (or extend different verticaldistances towards the base 112). In yet other examples of embodiments, agroove 200 can have peaks 204 and valleys 208 that each have differentamplitudes. For example, the peaks 204 can have a different amplitudethan the valleys 208. In addition, the peaks 204 can have differentamplitudes between peaks 204, and the valleys 208 can have differentamplitudes between valleys 208. Further, the amplitudes of the peaks 204can be different than the amplitudes of the valleys 208.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the groove 200is illustrated. The groove 200 includes opposing groove sidewalls 216and a bottom wall 220. Each groove sidewall 216 is inclined (or sloped)from the sidewall 104 (of the bottle 100) to the bottom wall 220. Thebottom wall 220 is flat (or substantially flat). The groove 200 has adepth D, as measured from the sidewall 104 to the bottom wall 220. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the depth D is in the range of approximately0.8 millimeters (mm) to approximately 5.0 mm. In other embodiments, thedepth D can be approximately 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5.0 mm. In yet other embodiments,the depth D can be any suitable or desired depth.

The groove 200 has a maximum width W, as measured between ends of thegroove sidewalls 216 proximate the sidewall 104 (of the bottle 100). Inthe illustrated embodiment, the width W is in the range of approximately2.0 mm to approximately 6.0 mm. In other embodiments, the width W can beapproximately 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, or 6.0 mm. In yet otherembodiments, the width W can be any suitable or desired width. Inaddition, the maximum width is greater than a width of the bottom wall220. As such, the groove 200 has a cross-sectional geometry similar to atrapezoid (or a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape).

The groove 200 has a first radius R1 between the sidewall 104 (of thebottle 100) and each of the groove sidewalls 216. In the illustratedembodiment, the first radius R1 is approximately 1.0 mm. In otherembodiments, the first radius R1 can be any suitable or desired radiuslength.

The groove has a second radius R2 between each groove sidewall 216 andthe bottom wall 220. In the illustrated embodiment, the second radius R2is less than the first radius R1. In other examples of embodiments, thesecond radius R2 is greater than the first radius R1. In yet otherexamples of embodiments, the second radius R2 is the same as the firstradius R1.

Each groove sidewall 216 has a length L1. In the illustrated embodiment,the length L1 of the groove sidewalls 216 are approximately 1.51 mm. Inother embodiments, the length L1 of the groove sidewalls 216 can be anysuitable or desired length.

An angle X° can extend between the groove sidewalls 216. In theillustrated embodiment, the angle X° can be approximately 55 degrees. Inother embodiments, the angle X° can be less than 55 degrees, can be morethan 55 degrees, or can be any suitable or desired angle.

With reference to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of another example ofthe groove 200′ is illustrated. The groove 200′ is substantially thesame as groove 200, with like number identifying like components, andlike variables identifying like ranges. The groove 200′ differs in thatthe bottom wall 220 is curved (or arcuate), instead of flat (orsubstantially flat) as shown in groove 200.

With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 6, the plurality of grooves 200 arecircumferentially offset from one another. More specifically, eachgroove 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 is circumferentially offsetfrom an adjacent groove 200. As such, the peaks 204, the valleys 208,and/or the transition sections 212 of one groove 200 are not in verticalalignment (or are not vertically aligned relative to the central axis120) with the peaks 204, the valleys 208, and/or the transition sections212 of the adjacent groove 200. It should be appreciated that the termadjacent groove 200 can include the immediately next groove 200 aboveand/or below one of the grooves 200.

With reference to FIG. 6, a first groove 200 a of the plurality ofgrooves 200 includes a plurality of peaks 204 and a plurality of valleys208. A second groove 200 b of the plurality of grooves 200, which isadjacent the first groove 200 a, also includes a plurality of peaks 204and a plurality of valleys 208. To illustrate the circumferentiallyoffset arrangement of adjacent grooves 200, the first groove 200 aincludes a first valley V₁ and a first peak P₁. The second groove 200 bincludes a second valley V₂ and a second peak P₂. The second valley V₂of the second groove 200 b corresponds to the first valley V₁ of thefirst groove 200 a. Stated another way, the first and second valleys V₁,V₂ are the same valleys in different grooves 200 a, 200 b. The secondvalley V₂ is horizontally translated (or shifted) around an outerperimeter of the sidewall 104 (or circumferentially offset) relative tothe first valley V₁. Stated another way, the first valley V₁ ishorizontally translated (or shifted) around an outer perimeter of thesidewall 104 (or circumferentially offset) relative to the second valleyV₂. Similarly, the second peak P₂ of the second groove 200 b correspondsto the first peak P₁ of the first groove 200 a. Stated another way, thefirst and second peaks P₁, P₂ are the same peaks in different grooves200 a, 200 b. The second peak P₂ is horizontally translated (or shifted)around an outer perimeter of the sidewall 104 (or circumferentiallyoffset) relative to the first peak P₁. Stated yet another way, the firstpeak P₁ is horizontally translated (or shifted) around an outerperimeter of the sidewall 104 (or circumferentially offset) relative tothe second peak P₂. It should be appreciated that the first groove 200 acan be any one of the plurality of grooves 200, and the second groove200 b can be any groove 200 that is adjacent the first groove 200 a(i.e., a groove 200 above or below the first groove 200 a).

With reference to FIG. 7A, the circumferentially offset arrangement ofthe first and second grooves 200 a, 200 b is illustrated by a firstangle θ₁. The first angle this defined as the angular distance (indegrees) between the first valley V₁ of the first groove 200 a and thesecond peak P₂ of the second groove 200 b (shown in FIG. 6). This canalso be referred to as an angular distance measured from valley to peakof adjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b. The first angle θ₁ can be in the rangeof approximately 5 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. Morespecifically, the first angle θ₁ can be in the range of approximately 25degrees to approximately 60 degrees. More specifically, the first angleθ₁ can be in the range of approximately 25 degrees to approximately 50degrees. More specifically, the first angle θ₁ can be in the range ofapproximately 35 degrees to approximately 55 degrees. More specifically,the first angle θ₁ can be in the range of approximately 35 degrees toapproximately 45 degrees. More specifically, the first angle θ₁ can bein the range of approximately 40 degrees to approximately 50 degrees.More specifically, the first angle θ₁ can be approximately 40 degrees.More specifically, the second angle θ₂ can be approximately 25, 26, 27,28, 229, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 degrees. All of the above approximations can beplus or minus approximately 5 degrees.

With reference to FIG. 7B, the circumferentially offset arrangement ofthe first and second grooves 200 a, 200 b is illustrated by a secondangle θ₂. The second angle θ₂ is defined as the angular distance (indegrees) between the first peak P₁ of the first groove 200 a and thesecond peak P₂ of the second groove 200 b (shown in FIG. 6). This canalso be referred to as an angular distance measured from peak to peak ofadjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b (or the angular distance between the firstpeak P₁ of the first groove 200 a and the angularly closest peak P₂ ofthe adjacent second groove 200 b). The second angle θ₂ can be in therange of approximately 5 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. Morespecifically, the second angle θ₂ can be approximately 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, or45 degrees. All of the above approximations can be plus or minusapproximately 5 degrees. It should be appreciated that in embodimentswhere the adjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b have the same general shape andare circumferentially offset from each other, the angular distance asmeasured from peak to peak (or from the first peak P₁ to the second peakP₂) will be the same as the angular distance as measured from valley tovalley (or between the first valley V₁ of the first groove 200 a and theangularly closest, second valley V₂ of the second groove 200 b (shown inFIG. 6)).

The plurality of circumferentially offset grooves 200 advantageouslyimprove load strengthening. More specifically, the grooves 200 disrupt adownward load path to provide additional strength to the bottle 100.With reference to FIG. 8, the circumferentially offset grooves 200 ofthe bottle 100 divert (or break up) a load path, illustrated by arrows404. The curved, downward arrows 404 indicate a path of load disruptioncaused by the plurality of circumferentially offset grooves 200. Morespecifically, the circumferentially offset grooves 200 directs adownward force from a valley 208 of one groove 200 (or 200 a) towardsthe closest peak 204 of an adjacent groove 200 (or 200 b) positioned onthe base side of the groove 200 (or 200 a). The additional strengthreduces a risk of buckling (or failure) of the sidewall 104 as comparedto aligned grooves, where the downward load path is generally parallelto the central axis 120 (shown in FIG. 6). In addition, thecircumferentially offset grooves 200 provided improved hoop strength (orhoop-wise strength, or circumferential strength, or strength in acircumferential direction), shown by arrows 408. The increase inhoop-wise strength is achieved as the load is diverted (or broken up) inthe longitudinal/axial direction. Thus, advantageously, the downwardload is provided partially downwards and partially in a twisting action.

Table I below illustrates the load effectiveness ofdisruption/strengthening (as a percentage or %). The angle described inTable I below illustrates the first angle θ₁ shown in FIG. 7A, definedas the angular distance (in degrees) between the first valley V₁ of thefirst groove 200 a and the second peak P₂ of the adjacent second groove200 b. The effectiveness strengthening of Table I is measured by thefirst major drop in torsional resistive force, which signifies the firstmajor failure of the sidewall 104.

TABLE I Effectiveness Values for Wave Alignment Angle Effectiveness ofdisruption/ (degrees) strengthening (%) 0 0 10 18 20 22 30 31 40 42 5035 60 28 70 21.6

Table II below illustrates how changing the circumferential offset (oralignment) of adjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b can improve loadperformance. The angle described in Table II below illustrates the firstangle θ₁ shown in FIG. 7A, defined as the angular distance (in degrees)between the first valley V₁ of the first groove 200 a and the secondpeak P₂ of the adjacent second groove 200 b. The top load increase ismeasured as a percentage change from zero degrees of angular offset (orvertically aligned grooves), as measured by the first major drop indownward resistive force, which signifies the first major failure of thesidewall 104.

TABLE II Load Values for Wave Alignment Angle Top Load (degrees)Increase (%) 0 0 10 3.5 20 4.7 30 6.6 40 8.5 50 8.0 60 6.1 70 5.2

Based on the results listed in Table II, embodiments of the bottle 100that incorporate a plurality of circumferentially offset grooves 200 canhave a load strength increase in the range of approximately 3.0% toapproximately 8.5% as compared to a bottle without offset grooves (suchas a bottle with circumferentially aligned grooves). More specifically,the bottle 100 can have a load strength increase of at leastapproximately 3.0%, 4.0%, 5.0%, 6.0%, 7.0%, 8.0%, or 8.5% as compared toa bottle without offset grooves (such as a bottle with circumferentiallyaligned grooves). In other embodiments, the load strength increase ofthe bottle that incorporates a plurality of circumferentially offsetgrooves 200 can be greater than 8.5% or less than 3.0% based on thesize, dimensions, material, geometry, and/or other variables associatedwith bottle design.

The illustrated embodiment of the bottle 100 presents a plurality ofcircumferentially offset grooves 200, where each groove 200, 200 aincludes a plurality of peaks 204 and a plurality of valleys 208 thatare not in vertical alignment with (or are circumferentially offsetfrom) the plurality of peaks 204 and the plurality of valleys 208 in anadjacent groove 200, 200 b. It should be appreciated that in otherexamples of embodiments, the plurality of grooves 200 can include agroove 200, 200 a that includes at least one peak 204 that is not invertical alignment with (or is circumferentially offset from) at leastone peak 204 in an adjacent groove 200, 200 b. In yet other examples ofembodiments, the plurality of grooves 200 can include a groove 200, 200a that includes at least one valley 208 that is not in verticalalignment with (or is circumferentially offset from) at least one valley208 in an adjacent groove 200, 200 b.

It should be appreciated that the bottle 100 includes at least twogrooves 200 a, 200 b, and the at least two grooves 200 a, 200 b arecircumferentially offset (or not vertically aligned relative to thecentral axis 120. In other examples of embodiments, the bottle 100includes a plurality of grooves 200, and each groove 200 iscircumferentially offset relative to the adjacent groove 200. Eachgroove 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 can be circumferentiallyoffset relative to the adjacent groove 200 by the same angular distance(e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3), or a different angular distance(e.g., within the plurality of grooves 200, a first pair of adjacentgrooves 200 is circumferentially offset a different angular distancethan a second pair of adjacent grooves 200, etc.).

In yet other examples embodiments, the plurality of grooves 200 can havean alternating circumferentially offset geometry. For example, everyother groove 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 can be verticallyaligned relative to the central axis 120, however, any two adjacentgrooves 200 are circumferentially offset. Stated another way, and as anonlimiting example, in an embodiment of a bottle 100 having a pluralityof grooves 200 that includes at least four grooves 200 vertically spacedalong the central axis 120, a second groove 200 can be circumferentiallyoffset from an adjacent first groove 200, the first groove being closerto the bell 108 than the second groove 200. A third groove 200 can becircumferentially offset from the adjacent second groove 200, the secondgroove being closer to the bell 108 than the third groove 200. A fourthgroove 200 can be circumferentially offset from the adjacent thirdgroove 200, the third groove being closer to the bell 108 than thefourth groove 200. The first and third grooves 200 can be verticallyaligned relative to the central axis 120, and the second and fourthgrooves 200 can be vertically aligned relative to the central axis 120.In this configuration, each groove 200 is circumferentially offset bybeing rotated (or horizontally translated) either in a clockwisedirection or a counterclockwise direction relative to the adjacentgroove 200. In one or more examples of embodiments, the angular distancedefining the circumferential offset can be the same or can be differentbetween adjacent pairs of grooves 200 within the plurality of grooves200.

In yet other examples of embodiments, the plurality of grooves 200 canhave an alternating circumferentially offset geometry, however everyother groove 200 of the plurality of grooves 200 is not verticallyaligned relative to the central axis 120. Stated another way, and as anonlimiting example, in an embodiment of a bottle 100 having a pluralityof grooves 200 that includes at least four grooves 200 vertically spacedalong the central axis 120, a second groove 200 can be circumferentiallyoffset from an adjacent first groove 200, the first groove being closerto the bell 108 than the second groove 200. A third groove 200 can becircumferentially offset from the adjacent second groove 200, the secondgroove being closer to the bell 108 than the third groove 200. A fourthgroove 200 can be circumferentially offset from the adjacent thirdgroove 200, the third groove being closer to the bell 108 than thefourth groove 200. The second groove 200 is circumferentially offsetfrom the first groove 200 by being horizontally translated a firstdistance (or having a first angular distance) in a first directionrelative to the first groove 200. The third groove 200 iscircumferentially offset from the second groove 200 by beinghorizontally translated a second distance (or having a second angulardistance) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, relativeto the second groove 200. The absolute value of the second distance (orthe second angular distance) is not the same absolute value as the firstdistance (or the first angular distance). The fourth groove 200 iscircumferentially offset from the third groove 200 by being horizontallytranslated a third distance (or having a third angular distance) in thefirst direction relative to the third groove 200. The absolute value ofthe third distance (or the third angular distance) is not the sameabsolute value as the first distance (or the first angular distance) orthe second distance (or the second angular distance).

The illustrated embodiment of the bottle 100 discusses thecircumferentially offset orientation of adjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b ofthe plurality of grooves. It should be appreciated that the offsetbetween two grooves 200 that are not adjacent can be determined. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 8, the circumferential offsetbetween the first groove 200 a and a third groove 200 c that is notadjacent to the first groove 200 a can be determined by multiplying theangular distance between the first groove 200 a and the adjacent secondgroove 200 b (e.g., the first angle θ₁, the second angle θ₂, etc.) byone plus the total number of grooves between the first and third grooves200 a, 200 c. As a nonlimiting examples, in the illustrated example inFIG. 8, if the angular distance between the first and second grooves 200a, 200 b is hypothetically 5 degrees, the angular distance between thefirst and third grooves 200 a, 200 c is (5 degrees)×(1+3 grooves betweenthe first and third grooves 200 a, 200 c)=(5 degrees)×(4)=20 degrees.

With reference back to FIGS. 3 and 6, in one or more examples ofembodiments, adjacent grooves 200 a, 200 b can be shifted approximately80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 91.9, 92, 93, 94, or 95mm in a horizontal direction. In one or more examples of embodiments, avertical distance between peaks 204 (e.g., P₁ to P₂, etc.) of adjacentgrooves 200 a, 200 b can be approximately 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 mm. In one ormore examples of embodiments, a vertical distance between a valley 208of the first groove 200 a and a peak 204 of an adjacent second groove200 b can be approximately 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20mm. In one or more examples of embodiments, one or more of the grooves200 can have an amplitude of approximately 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, or 20 mm. In one or more examples of embodiments, one ormore of the grooves 200 can have a period of approximately 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, or45 mm.

One or more aspects of the bottle 100 provides certain advantages. Forexample, the sidewall 104 includes a plurality of grooves 200, and morespecifically at least two grooves 200 a, 200 b. The plurality of grooves200 are circumferentially offset from each other. The circumferentialoffset arrangement of the grooves 200 advantageously improve loadstrengthening by disrupting a downward load path. The load is divertedin a curved, downward direction by the circumferentially offset grooves200. More specifically, the load is diverted from a valley 208 of onegroove 200 (or 200 a) towards the closest peak 204 of an adjacent,offset groove 200 (or 200 b) positioned on the base side of the groove200 (or 200 a). The additional strength reduces a risk of buckling (orfailure) of the sidewall 104, while also increasing strength in a hoop(or circumferential) direction. These and other advantages are realizedby the disclosure provided herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bottle comprising: a finish defining a bottleopening; a bell carrying the finish; a base; a central axis extendingfrom the finish to the base; a sidewall extending between the bell andthe base; and at least two grooves that circumferentially extend aroundthe sidewall and spaced apart relative to the central axis, the groovesbeing circumferentially offset from one another.
 2. The bottle of claim1, wherein each of the at least two grooves include a plurality ofalternating peaks and valleys.
 3. The bottle of claim 1, wherein each ofthe at least two grooves are sinusoidal.
 4. The bottle of claim 1,wherein the at least two grooves include a first groove and a secondgroove.
 5. The bottle of claim 4, wherein the first groove includes aplurality of alternating first peaks and first valleys, and the secondgroove includes a plurality of alternating second peaks and secondvalleys.
 6. The bottle of claim 4, wherein the first groove and thesecond groove are each sinusoidal in shape.
 7. The bottle of claim 4,wherein one of the second peaks of the second groove iscircumferentially offset from a closest first peak of the first grooveby an angular distance of 5 degrees to 45 degrees.
 8. The bottle ofclaim 4, wherein one of the second valleys of the second groove iscircumferentially offset from a closest first valley of the first grooveby an angular distance of 5 degrees to 45 degrees.
 9. The bottle ofclaim 4, wherein the first groove is positioned closer to the bell thanthe second groove, and wherein the first and second grooves areconfigured, in response to a load applied to the bottle, to direct theload from each of the first valleys of the plurality of first valleys ofthe first groove towards each of the closest second peaks of theplurality of second peaks of the second groove.
 10. A bottle comprising:a finish defining a bottle opening; a neck coupled to the finish; a bellcoupled to the neck; a base; a sidewall extending between the bell andthe base; a central axis extending from the finish to the base; a firstgroove extending around the sidewall, the first groove having a waveshape defined by at least one peak and at least one valley; and a secondgroove extending around the sidewall, the second groove having a waveshape defined by at least one peak and at least one valley, the secondgroove being circumferentially offset from the first groove, and spacedfrom the first groove along the central axis.
 11. The bottle of claim10, wherein the first groove and the second groove are sinusoidal inshape.
 12. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the second groove iscircumferentially offset from the first groove by an angular distance of5 degrees to 45 degrees.
 13. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the atleast one peak of the second groove is circumferentially offset from theat least one peak of the first groove by an angular distance of 5degrees to 45 degrees.
 14. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the at leastone valley of the second groove is circumferentially offset from the atleast one valley of the first groove by an angular distance of 5 degreesto 45 degrees.
 15. The bottle of claim 10, wherein the first groove ispositioned closer to the bell than the second groove, and wherein thefirst and second grooves are configured, in response to a load appliedto the bottle, to direct the load from the at least one valley of thefirst groove towards the closest at least one peak of the second groove.16. A bottle comprising: a neck defining a bottle opening; a bellcoupled to the neck; a base; a sidewall extending between the bell andthe base; a central axis extending from the neck to the base; a firstgroove extending around an outer circumference of the sidewall, thefirst groove having a wave shape defined by alternating first peaks andfirst valleys; and a second groove extending around an outercircumference of the sidewall, the second groove having a wave shapedefined by alternating second peaks and second valleys, the secondgroove being circumferentially offset from the first groove such thatthe alternating second peaks and second valleys of the second groove arepositioned out of vertical alignment with the alternating first peaksand first valleys of the first groove.
 17. The bottle of claim 16,wherein the first and second grooves are sinusoidal in shape.
 18. Thebottle of claim 16, wherein one of the second peaks of the second grooveis circumferentially offset from a closest first peak of the firstgroove by an angular distance of 5 degrees to 45 degrees.
 19. The bottleof claim 16, wherein one of the second valleys of the second groove iscircumferentially offset from a closest first valley of the first grooveby an angular distance of 5 degrees to 45 degrees.
 20. The bottle ofclaim 16, further comprising: a third groove extending around an outercircumference of the sidewall, the third groove having a wave shapedefined by alternating third peaks and third valleys, the third groovebeing circumferentially offset from the second groove such that thealternating third peaks and third valleys of the third groove arepositioned out of vertical alignment with the alternating second peaksand second valleys of the second groove, wherein the first groove ispositioned closer to the bell than the second groove, and the secondgroove is positioned closer to the bell than the third groove.